Unlike most major cities, where people try to cram as many outdoor and summertime activities as possible into just a few months, Miami offers yearlong opportunities for fun in the sun, art, culture, history and more. What's even better is many of these activities are low in price or free. So, whether you are a visitor or resident, single, attached, or trying to find an outing for the children and family, here are 12 fun and cheap things to do in the breathtaking and sunny city of Miami:
Museums and Art
- Coral Gables Gallery Night Art Walk: Check out the Gables Art Walk on the first Friday of every month, when galleries keep their doors open until 10 p.m. and provide wine and cheese, transportation between various galleries, and free art advice. The walk is centered around Ponce Circle Park and offers a free way to enjoy a Friday evening while taking in breathtaking classical and representational works of art.
- Viernes Culturales in Little Havana: If you are looking for a crash course in Cuban culture and want to view some nostalgic artwork, then Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) is for you. This open-air gallery is packed with 100 artists, musicians, sculptors and more. Held the last Friday of each month from 6:30–11 p.m., this is a great free event—as long as you don’t mind a bit of walking!
- Wolfsonian-FIU Art Museum: Famous worldwide for their vast art exhibitions, the museum offers free admission every Friday night from 6–9 p.m. Housed in a 1926 Mediterranean revival-style warehouse, visitors will be impressed with the various paintings, posters, ceramics, furniture, books, and other architectural works.
Children's Activities
- Weintraub Observatory Star Show: Do you have a little astronomer on your hands? If so, visit this free Star Show at the Miami Science Museum, held every Friday from 8–10 p.m. What can be better than gazing at the Milky Way and a multitude of galaxies for free?
- Enjoy a Kid-friendly Beach: While there are certain areas of Miami/South Beach that provide a little too much body exposure for the youngsters, there is an area of Miami Beach (from 53rd to 63rd street) that is more family-oriented. This stretch of sand offers the perfect location to have a picnic, build sand castles, dig for buried treasures, and just enjoy a fun day in the Florida sun!
- Miami Children's Museum: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., this museum is full of interactive exhibits, a sea room (for those under five), playgrounds and more. The museum teams up with Target and offers "Target Free Third Friday" every 3rd Friday of the month from 3–9 p.m. for parents and children. Regular admission is $16, $12 for Florida residents. Those living in Miami receive 50 percent off with ID, and military personnel and veterans also receive 50 percent off for a family of four.
Outdoor Lovers
- Biscayne National Park: Where else can you view manatees and dolphins from the shore or dive in for some snorkeling and scuba diving through breathtaking coral reefs? If canoeing is more your speed, visit this park and take a canoe ride through Florida's longest stretch of mangrove forest. While the park doesn't have an entrance fee, there is a small fee to camp or boat overnight.
- Hit the Beach: Miles and miles of gorgeous beaches are available all over the City of Miami. Miami Beach offers residents and visitors South Pointe Park (which includes a pier), South Beach, Haulover Beach (for those who like clothing-optional areas), Surfside and more. There are also many park/beach areas, including South Beach's Matheson Hammock Park. Virginia Key and Key Biscayne offer three beaches with an abundance of family-friendly activities, including windsurfing, jet-skiing and sailboarding.
- Free Yoga in the Park: Calling all yoga lovers! Bayfront Park offers an incredible free yoga in the park class every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m., and every Saturday at 9 a.m.
Culture Hot-Spots
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: Tour 50 acres of European-inspired gardens, art treasures, and a stunning historic villa on the water. Whether you are a resident or visitor, this is one cultural attraction not to miss (be sure to check out their Moonlight Garden Tours)! Admission for the house and gardens is free for children under 5, $6 for children ages 6-12, and $15 for adults. Seniors and students receive discounts on admission with ID. There is even a small gift shop and restaurant with delicious fare in case you work up an appetite.
- Holocaust Memorial: Free admission is available to anyone who visits this incredible memorial in Miami, open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. With exhibits and murals dedicated to the Holocaust and a Memorial Wall with concentration camp victims’ names, this life-changing memorial is a must-see.
- Ocean Drive and the Versace Mansion: Located at 1116 Ocean Drive, this famous mansion was home to legendary Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace. The opulent home and grounds is a famous hot spot for those walking along Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive is world famous for being jam-packed with restaurants, shops, Art-deco inspired hotels, sight-seeing and more. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the outside cafés and people-watch for free—you’re bound to see something interesting in the City of Miami!
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